Information about "Your Rights" is available throughout the hospital and you can also download the 'Code of Rights' from the Health and Disability Commissioner's website (http://www.hdc.org.nz/theact/theact-thecode). 

Staff will provide you with details about treatments, procedures and their likely effects and seek your consent before they are carried out.  

Please ask if you are unclear about anything that is happening to you.  For procedures such as operations, anaesthetics, and certain diagnostic procedures you are required to give specific consent in writing.


  Health and Disability Advocates

The Health Advocates' Trust provides a free, independent advocacy service to help people ensure their rights are respected. Phone 0800 555 050 or 623 5799 for the Auckland office.

  Health and Disability Commissioner

The Health and Disability Commissioner is an independent government agency setup to promote and protect the rights of consumers who use health and disability services; help resolve problems between consumers and providers of health and disability services; and improve the quality of health care and disability services.  Visit their website http://www.hdc.org.nz/ for more information about your rights or call them directly on phone 0800 11 22 33 or 09 373 1060 for their Auckland office.


  Clinical Records

You are entitled to read your clinical records.  Clinical staff are available to discuss your records with you if you wish.  You may have a free copy of your record or any part of it by writing to:

Release of Information
Clinical Records Department
Auckland City Hospital
Private Bag 92024
Auckland

Please provide your personal details, (name, date of birth and address), a copy of some form of identification with your signature (e.g. passport or driver's licence) and an outline of the information required. 

We will respond to your request within 20 working days.  Information from your clinical records may be used for clinical audit or to check the quality of the services we provided.  Information obtained for these purposes will not be used in a way that identifies you.